Is the end near for Astros' Brett Wallace?

Former top prospect's clock is running out in Houston

Houston Astros' Brett Wallace celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jeff Locke in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Monday, Sept. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

CORPUS CHRISTI - On a night when nearly every Houston hitter was either knocking the ball out of the park, threatening to hit for the cycle, or driving in runs like it was an epidemic, there stood Astros first baseman Brett Wallace – striking out four times in four plate appearances before manager Bo Porter mercifully replaced him with Brandon Barnes Tuesday night.

This is no anomaly. Wallace has struck out 17 times in 21 at-bats, good for a gruesome line of .048/.091/.048/.139. He's got one hit, drawn one walk and offered an early WAR value of -0.6.

Wallace came to Houston in July of 2010 as an indirect part of the Roy Oswalt trade as the replacement for the iconic Lance Berkman, who was dealt two days later. Wallace, the 13th overall pick in the 2008 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, had been passed around to Oakland's system and Toronto's system before arriving in Houston, always flashing the bat and versatility that made him a heralded prospect, but never could crack the big leagues until the Astros gave him his shot. Ed Wade believed that if Wallace translated his skills to the big leagues, he would have pulled off a major coup and acquired a centerpiece player in, essentially, an afterthought trade.

If you proposed that kind of deal to 30 GMs, it's hard not to see all 30 going for it. But since 2010, Wallace has gone from potential franchise player to odd man out. He's done it the way most players in this spot do it – he failed to adjust to the major leagues. He's an AAAA player with a sweet stroke but no ability to adjust or recognize pitches and remain patient. The holes in his swing, once thought to be few and far between, are apparent almost each time he swings and misses. He's not just getting beat; he's being made to look silly at the plate.

In 238 games as an Astro, spanning parts of four years, Wallace has produced a WAR value of -0.8, almost a full game worse than a replacement-level player. He's produced nothing, offensively or defensively, of any value, and his continued presence, for however long it lasts, will only serve to hold down a roster spot until someone else is ready. With Carlos Pena and Chris Carter already on the roster, it's not like the Astros have to wait until Jon Singleton is ready to go. He can be replaced with just about anyone.

The sample size with Wallace is large enough to know that the investment Ed Wade made has not worked out, and the horrid start he's off to this season should be more than enough for the new regime in Houston to cut ties with the 26-year-old.